The Orange Tsunami is starting to swell as the GIANTS aim for their fourth straight win in a clash with the Demons at the ‘G on Saturday night.
AFL Round 20
Melbourne Demons v GIANTS
Saturday, July 27 at 7:30pm
MCG | Wurundjeri Country
What it means for the GIANTS
The GIANTS (11-7) will continue their late-season surge towards September against a Melbourne side (10-8) also battling for a top-eight spot in one of the tightest finals races in history.
While taking on the Dees on their home turf is never an easy feat, the GIANTS will enter the clash following a strong run of form, with successive wins over the Blues, Tigers and Suns positioning them in fifth spot and just half a game outside of the top four.
The GIANTS will be hoping several of their stars can continue to fire against the Demons, with Jesse Hogan (four goals), Lachie Whitfield (40 touches), Tom Green (34 touches), and Toby Greene (two goals) all shining in the 39-point win over the Suns last Saturday.
Adam Kingsley’s side could gain some extra firepower to take on the Demons, with star duo Sam Taylor (groin) and Stephen Coniglio (shoulder) both in line to return from injury if they can complete Thursday’s main training session.
The GIANTS push for four-straight wins will come without Isaac Cumming however, with the silky wingman expected to be sidelined for six weeks after injuring his hamstring against the Suns.
The Opposition
The Demons will host the GIANTS following an inconsistent few months which has them sitting in 10thon the AFL table but just half a game outside of the top eight and just one win off the GIANTS in fifth spot.
Melbourne will be hoping to bounce back from their most recent performance, with the Demons beaten convincingly by 50 points by the Dockers in Perth last Sunday.
The Dees were held goalless in the opening term to trail by 21 points at the first break and were unable to recover as Fremantle cruised to a 17.14 (116) to 10.6 (66) win.
In good news for the Demons, skipper Max Gawn is in line to bolster his side against the GIANTS after missing two weeks with a small fracture in his ankle.
Recent History
Not much has separated the sides in recent history, with the Demons holding a slight 3-2 edge over the last five encounters.
It was the GIANTS who got the chocolates the last time the sides faced off however, with Josh Kelly kicking a match-winning goal from outside 50m to give his side a thrilling 7.5 (47) to 5.15 (45) victory in unusually cold and wet conditions in Alice Springs.
The come-from-behind win was a sign of things to come for the GIANTS, who soon after won seven straight matches as the catalyst for a preliminary final appearance.
Key Match-Up: Briggs v Gawn
After a breakout season last year, Kieren Briggs continues to establish himself as one of the competition’s best young ruckmen and a key piece of Adam Kingsley’s side.
In the midst of another strong season, Briggs’ development will be given another huge test on Saturday as he prepares to go head-to-head with six-time All Australian Max Gawn who is likely to return from injury.
Up against one of the best ruckmen of the modern era, Briggs battle with the Dees’ skipper will prove crucial to Saturday’s result as both sides fight towards a spot in September.
GIANTS Player to Watch: Jesse Hogan
GIANTS spearhead Jesse Hogan is having the best season of his career and one which has him firmly planted in All Australian and Coleman Medal discussions.
Following four more goals in the win over the Suns last week, Hogan now sits second in the Coleman Medal race with 49 majors to his name – remarkably tying his career-best tally for a season (from last year) with five games still to come.
The star full forward, who earlier this season re-signed with the GIANTS to keep him at the club until the end of the 2026 season, is also ranked number one in the AFL for marks inside-50 and number three for contested marks.
On Saturday Hogan will look to continue his stellar season against a very familiar foe, with the 29-year-old having spent six seasons with the Demons after being drafted by them back in 2012.
Likely up against star defender Steven May, Hogan will be hoping to continue his red-hot form against his former side as the GIANTS aim for their fourth straight win.
In the Mix
While Coniglio and Taylor are in line to return, several GIANTS continue to press their claims through the VFL, with Conor Stone, Jacob Wehr and Nick Haynes all starring last in last week’s VFL win over the Suns.
Team Selection
The GIANTS will name their team to take on the Demons at 6:20pm on Thursday at gwsgiants.com.au.
Rehab Report
Get a full injury update ahead of Saturday’s match here.
Where to Watch
Saturday’s match will be shown live and free on 7 Mate from 7pm in NSW and the ACT, live on Channel 7 in Victoria from 7pm, as well as nationally from 7pm on Fox Footy and Kayo.
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